[Elecraft] "Bug" for K2

[Michael Babineau]

As someone else posted, there is little difference between
the models that Vibroplex  currently makes. The Blue Racer 2000
is an Original on a smaller base.
I have what amounts to pretty much every Late Model Vibroplex with
the exception of the Zephyr and I recently purchased a Blue Racer 2000
(with the Blue Base). I am happy to say that the  quality is as good as 
anything
  Vibroplex ever produced ... maybe better.

If you are looking for a new Vibroplex Bug I would suggest the Blue 
Racer
2000 as it is heavy enough to stay put, but small enough to not take up 
your
whole operating desk. Both the Blue base model and the Chrome model
look pretty sharp.

If you want to use it below 20wpm I suggest that you also purchase a 
Bug Tamer
from Vibroplex. This allows you to extend the pendulum and will allow 
for slower
speeds with a reasonable amount of weight. My experiences have been 
that there
are limits to how much weight you can add to a bug before it starts to 
a) feel
sluggish or b) have the pendulum hit the opposite side of the damper 
mechanism
from too much deflection (you also need wider spacing at slower speeds).
Note that I recommend the Tamer not the Vari-speed. I have a Vari-Speed 
as
well and I suggest that for sub 20wpm operation you go with the Tamer.

There are also some reasonable deals to be had on eBay on older model
Vibroplexes but you may find that you need to do a little work to clean
the bug up and replace contacts, depending on usage.

Best of luck in your decision.

Michael VE3WMB

P.S. I'll put in a plug for "Bugs". We are an organization that 
promotes the use of Semi-automatic
Morse Keys ... see our web site at  
http://www.qth.com/collegiate/bugs.htm . There are some
useful resources and links and we host a monthly "BUG NITE".